Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak series. Mysteries, they're called, but with a twist. Kate's an Aleut living on her homestead in Alaska; a former investigator for the Anchorage DA's office until she was nearly killed.
'most any of them, except "Hunter's Moon," which dark, very dark, but like all, extremely well written.

If you're doing chemo, try to avoid "Breakup," since you'll laugh so hard that your IVs'll come out. It starts on an ordineary day for Kate, during Breakup, when an engine from a passing 747 falls on her homestead....

Then read "Blood Will Tell," if for no other reason than a) what Kate does to Jane, b) what Emaa does to Kate, c) what Jack does to Kate in Nordstrom's, and d) what Mutt does to a couple of baddies. There's also a mention of the "Whale Fat Follies," something you really should attend whenever you're in Anchorage (Fly By Night Club).

By the way, Dana (and Kate) are great fans of shanties....